About Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in your body
- High levels of cholesterol in your blood can lead to heart disease
- Nearly 42% of adults in South Carolina have high cholesterol
Types of Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
- Makes up the majority of the cholesterol in your body
- Referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it can clog your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
- Helps keep your arteries clear, reducing your risk of heart disease
- Scientists think that this "good" cholesterol mops up bad cholesterol and carries it to your liver, which then flushes it out of your body
Triglycerides
- Are not cholesterol, but are a type of fat that can clog arteries
- Are often a part of the blood test a doctor does to check your cholesterol levels
Know Your Numbers
High cholesterol does not have any symptoms, so it's important to get a blood test to check your levels. Below is a list of desirable cholesterol numbers:
- Total Cholesterol - less than 200 mg/dL
- LDL "Bad" Cholesterol - less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL "Good" Cholesterol - Women: 50 mg/dL or higher. Men: 40 mg/dL or higher
- Triglycerides - less than 150 mg/dL
How Can I Lower My Cholesterol?
- Get a blood test to check your cholesterol levels
- Eat a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stop smoking
- Take your medicine